Stow Old Bridge
Bridge In Stow, Scotland
The Stow Old Bridge is a packhorse bridge consisting of three narrow arches over the Gala Water, built around 1654–55 to allow packhorses (and worshippers) to cross safely to the old kirk.
Up until last year I don't think I had seen a packhorse bridge (or maybe I just wasn't looking), but they are popping up everywhere now. The Stow Old Bridge near Galashiels is a unique packhorse bridge as not only does it have a low parapet to help get the horses across safely, it also has some additional arches to avoid getting your feet wet when the area flooded.
It was built at the lowest bridging point on the Gala Water and Tweed system and helped both locals get across the river (probably to get to the Old Kirk) and also horses laden with goods, which helped the growth of Stow.
Built by public subscription between 1654-1655 it is also known as the Subscription Bridge. It was given a bit of TLC by Scottish Borders Council in 2002 to help smarten and restore it.
This packhorse bridge in Stow was originally planned back in 1630, but they couldn't find the right stone to build it, until they agreed they could repurpose the inner wall from the nearby church.
As mentioned above, the bridge doesn't just have the single arch, it has three, with the two smaller arches acting as flood relief. You may also spy cutwater projects on the pier between the east and middle arches to help deflect the current when it gets a bit choppy.
As a lovely little nugget to leave you on, the Stow Old Bridge is probably located nearby to the site of the six Stow witch executions of 1649!
It was constructed between 1654 and 1655.
It was funded by public subscription, which is how it earned the name Subscription Bridge.
Historic survey notes record it as 38.1 metres long and 3.1 metres wide, with a narrow 2 metre roadway.
It was designed with a narrow roadway and low parapets so that horses carrying panniers or packs could cross safely without catching their loads on the walls.
Get 2 points if you have visited this place. Already visited by 7 VIPs.
Login to the VIP area to add places to your bucket list, mark them as visited and more importantly see where you rank on the league table.
How To Find Stow Old Bridge
Where Is Stow Old Bridge?
Lat / Long
55.689966, -2.862969
What three words
Where To Park For Stow Old Bridge?
Lat / Long
55.69196, -2.86139
What three words
Plenty of parking in the village. We parked on Townfoot which is just a short walk to the bridge.
Contributed by Simon Hawkins
Thanks for checking out this place on the Fabulous North! I do enjoy a wander out in to the countryside trying to find hidden gems that not many people know about. You can't beat a rogue pele tower up a remote hill, a mysterious stone circle or a stunning waterfall secluded in a forest.
More Places from Simon
More Places In Stow
Find more fabulous places in Stow, Scotland and if you know of a place we haven't listed, then let us know.
Oh no! We couldn't find any more places for this area. Don't worry, we're adding new places all the time, so please check back again soon.
More Bridges
So this bridge wasn't enough and you want more? Don't worry we have you covered.
Lune Aqueduct
Bridge Lancaster LancashireA Georgian Grade I Listed aqueduct, the largest all-masonry aqueduct in Britain taking the Lancaster Canal over the River Lune.
Ashness Bridge
Bridge Keswick CumbriaThe most photographed location in the Lake District. An 18th century Packhorse Bridge.
Never Miss A Fabulous Place
If you are afraid of missing out on all the fabulous places we post, or just want to be the first to know, then sign up to the Fabulous North.
Each week we will email you all the brand new places that we visit.
Sign Up To Alerts
Find Us On Facebook
We post all our new places daily on our Facebook Groups page, so join the group today and be notified when we add a new place.
Join Our Facebook Group